240 Gallon on 2nd Floor

[akopley]

I am scheduling a structural engineer, but figured i would pick some brains here as well. I plan on putting a 240 gallon 8'x24"x24" tank on my second floor about 8 inches of the tank (maybe more) will be sitting directly on a load bearing wall. The support beams, i believe run parrell (not ideal), span about 13' and are about 12" apart. I think the tank sitting on this edge will provide enough support, but could easily add bracing below (garage underneath). Any feedback is appreciated.

 

[Cammunoz]

I'm in the same boat as you. I am setting up a 120 g in a condo I believe the floor is steel with concrete pads. I am unsure of the outcome.


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[akopley]

I would think a condo would be built to satisfy quite a bit of weight. That being said, my early research has shown that you can ask for pounds per square foot rating, but your condo association might ask what you're doing then and tell you to forget about it. Forgiveness is always easier than permission.

 

[Cammunoz]

I would think a condo would be built to satisfy quite a bit of weight. That being said, my early research has shown that you can ask for pounds per square foot rating, but your condo association might ask what you're doing then and tell you to forget about it. Forgiveness is always easier than permission.

Lol ya my HOA is a pain in the ***! And ya I hope to God it can handle the weight!


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[lapin]

"I am scheduling a structural engineer" We can only guess. He will know.

 

[akopley]

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[akopley]

Maybe pics will help with assumptions...


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[GQsmooth]

It will need extra support for sure if you want it to work, and you definitely don't want to be running parallel with the floor joists.

 

[akopley]

It will need extra support for sure if you want it to work, and you definitely don't want to be running parallel with the floor joists.

Engineer is coming Tuesday. He thinks that the tank running across the top of that load bearing wall will likely be adequate with 12' joists @16", but we will know for sure soon. Thanks for the reply. Any reason you feel so sure additional support would be needed?


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[Hal]

I assume that the load bearing wall is the wall on the right of the stairs if you were walking down the stairs? Regardless, if your tank will be on the load bearing wall, I strongly suspect that you will be just fine. I've had a 150XH and a 240 (72x28x39) in 3 houses and have run load numbers, and each time have been just fine in a similar situation to you. I note that your tank is even 4 inches narrower (front to back) than mine, which means even less load is further away from the load bearing wall.

I assume that your floor is constructed of engineered wood beams, which are quite strong.

Regardless, if you have access to the floor, and it appears that you do, why not throw in 2 extra joists? Or add a strongback by screwing 3/4 inch plywood to the bottom of the existing joists. Either one will substantially (on the order of an additional 20%) increase your load capability. Ideally you would add the joists directly under the front feet of your stand.

 

[akopley]

I assume that the load bearing wall is the wall on the right of the stairs if you were walking down the stairs? Regardless, if your tank will be on the load bearing wall, I strongly suspect that you will be just fine. I've had a 150XH and a 240 (72x28x39) in 3 houses and have run load numbers, and each time have been just fine in a similar situation to you. I note that your tank is even 4 inches narrower (front to back) than mine, which means even less load is further away from the load bearing wall.

I assume that your floor is constructed of engineered wood beams, which are quite strong.

Regardless, if you have access to the floor, and it appears that you do, why not throw in 2 extra joists? Or add a strongback by screwing 3/4 inch plywood to the bottom of the existing joists. Either one will substantially (on the order of an additional 20%) increase your load capability. Ideally you would add the joists directly under the front feet of your stand.

Thanks for the feedback and suggestions. The structural engineer seemed to think the same from the pictures. Will be nice to get final confirmation nextTuesday. I will update the thread with the results.


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